[Vwdiesel] a3 Jetta hood won't open

[Will Taygan]

1994 Jetta converted to 1.6TD.

HELP! My hood won't open.  I pulled the release cable and it just feels
loose!  I've got expanded aluminum for a grille, so I can't fit my
fingers in there, but I could cut it out..

I pulled the whole front bumper including undoing the cable release this
past summer, and it was sticking after I put it back together, I assume
it either came loose or broke.

Any tricks or ideas before I start ripping things apart?

Will